Tom Coughlin devised his "Build the Bridge" team slogan for 2012 very mindful of the reality that has dashed his Giants’ spirits the past few weeks: It’s not easy to repeat.

Gray T-shirts imprinted with the motto were issued to the team back in August, when the good vibes from Super Bowl XLVI were still fresh.

"Having great respect for our players and the way that they finished the season, and wanting to take those values and move them forward, knowing full well that it’s 16 games," the Giants coach said. "That’s a long season. That’s a long period of time that you’re asking for that. But nevertheless, a goal is a goal. That’s what we based it on."

That goal took a major hit with the Giants’ past two losses. They now face elimination Sunday, needing a win against the Eagles, plus a Bears loss at the Lions, a Vikings loss to the Packers and a Cowboys loss or tie to the Redskins.

There have only been eight repeat champions in the Super Bowl’s 46-year history, and just one in the past decade, the Patriots. The past six Super Bowl champions have all failed either to make the playoffs or win a playoff game the following season — including the 2008 Giants, who stumbled after Plaxico Burress’ self-shooting and lost to the Eagles after an opening-round playoffs bye.

The 8-7 Giants’ scenario to still make the postseason isn’t a ridiculous one, but even Coughlin called their hopes "remote" after the Baltimore loss. Destiny had been in their own hands up until last week, and receiver Victor Cruz admitted the Giants may have succumbed to their own pressure.

"Whether we even knew it or not, I think there was some pressure, obviously, going into the last four games where we had to win and we had to keep doing the things we had to do with everybody looking back at last year," Cruz said. "All that pressure is kind of gone, and we just want to go out and play football and finish the year right if it’s going to be our last one."

For the third straight year, the Giants’ season hinges on Week 17. Last New Year’s Day, they delivered a resounding 31-14 win against the Cowboys for the NFC East crown. Their fortunes went the other way the year before, when they finished with a win against the Redskins and a 10-6 record — but didn’t get the Bears win against the Packers they needed for a playoffs bid.

The Giants’ recent pattern has been close to Super Bowl or bust: In the past five seasons, the Giants have won two titles (2007, 2011), missed the playoffs twice (2009, 2010) and once been knocked out in their opening playoff game (2008).

Defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka made the valid point that he would "rather have the rings to show for it," than a consistent track record of reaching the playoffs. But at least one teammate admitted the yo-yoing is frustrating.

"We all hate it. It (stinks)," special teams captain Zak DeOssie said. "We all want to win every single game. Two Super Bowls in five years is pretty damn good, but you wish you were a contender every single year. And it is a disappointment when we’re up so high one season, and we’re struggling to make the playoffs in the next. Yes, other teams would like to have that sort of problem, but it’s not ideal for us, and we don’t like it. We don’t like it."

The defending champions always have a target on their backs. The Giants also were slated for the league’s hardest schedule this year, but they embraced that, because they believed it would sharpen them.

There is still a chance that the season extends beyond today — "Anything could happen," Kiwanuka said firmly — but that bridge may very well be left unfinished.

"You just try to weather the storm," defensive tackle Rocky Bernard said. "You have ups and you have downs, but you just try to stay even-keeled. But I think this year is kind of rough, especially coming off the high of the Super Bowl. We had high expectations this year, just didn’t meet them."